Mehlman, who served as chairman during
the President George W. Bush era, came out gay last August. He said
in numerous interviews that he wanted to come out to support marriage
equality, in particular the group challenging California's gay
marriage ban, Proposition 8. He raised more than 1.2 million for the
cause at an event held in New York last fall.

With less than 2 weeks to go before
the end of the legislative session, prospects of getting a bill
approved in the Senate – where it has yet to be formally introduced
– are dimming.